Whether bad weather has trapped you inside or you simply don’t feel like packing up the kids and leaving the house today, keeping everyone entertained can sometimes be a daunting task. Here are a few unique ways to keep your children engaged, occupied, and having fun, without breaking the bank.

HAVE A COSTUME PARTY

You don’t need fancy clothes or special costumes to play dress up. Open your closet to the kids, or grab a few items you don’t mind being played with, and let them put together a fashion show. Include clothes, shoes, hats, jewelry, and any other fun fashion items you have. You can even let them use some of that old makeup you’ll never wear.


 

GIVE COOKING LESSONS

Whether it’s your favorite dinner recipe or a batch of cookies from the box, cooking together is a great way to both educate and entertain. If you have younger children, you can help them through each step. Or, once you do the baking, let them help with the decorating. Give older children ingredients and a recipe and sample their creation once it’s complete. Make it more fun by pretending they are on a cooking competition show or creating dishes for a new restaurant.

CREATE A COLLAGE

Break out the stacks of old magazines, stickers, construction paper, and crayons. Encourage your child to cut or tear out pictures, words, or shapes from the magazines and paste or tape them onto a poster board or construction paper. They can add their own details with doodles or stickers. If you have older children, ask them to write a poem or story about the things they find.
 

  

HOST A MOVIE NIGHT

It might be Frozen 2 again, but hosting a family movie night can provide a few hours of entertainment. Let the kids decide on their favorite movie, or pick one you love to share with them. Perhaps break out some old family videos to relive laughs and memories. Build a blanket and pillow fort together in the living room. You can even make s’mores!
  

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR

Many museums, galleries, and zoos offer virtual tours online. Explore the wonders of science, history, art, and animals from the comfort of your home. These tours are both entertaining and educational, and you might enjoy them just as much as the kids.

GO ON A TREASURE HUNT

Gather small items, candy, or other treats and hide them around the house. Create a set of clues for the kids to use, and set them loose for a mini indoor treasure hunt. You can even have a prize or reward if they find everything, or for the child who finds the most items. Don’t forget to create a list of everything you hide so you don’t forget anything!

CREATE A MEMORY BOX

Pick a box that’s big enough to hold several items. Give your child decorating tools, like markers, stickers, paints, glitter, buttons, or other items in your craft box. First, have them decorate the outside of the box. Then, together you can find photos or other memories to save in the box. It’s a great way to keep them occupied for a few hours, and you’ll have a mini time capsule to look back on in the future.